Penelope Spheeris (born December 2, 1945) is an American director, producer and screenwriter. She is best known as a documentary film director whose works include the trilogy titled The Decline of Western Civilization. She has also directed feature films, including Wayne's World, her highest grossing film.
A couple who both work at wedding receptions encounter complications when they decide to marry.
Release Date1990-03-02
Charactersd Nicky's Mom
Vote Count4
Aaron Roman is a teenager with cerebral palsy who dreams of starring in a big-time action movie. When his father grants Aaron his wish for his eighteenth birthday, he experiences the reality a bit hard to manage.
Release Date2005-12-02
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd Penelope Spheeris
Vote Count17
An undercover cop cruises the streets of Hollywood looking for girls to pimp out.
Release Date1970-01-01
Charactersd (uncredited)
A ski instructor tries to teach a bunch of insanely eccentric people how to ski while dealing with everyone wanting his attention.
Release Date1971-01-08
Charactersd Star the Witch
Vote Count9
An entertaining combination of heavy-metal rockers and female mud wrestlers hosted by Jessica Hahn.
Release Date1990-02-12
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd Herself
Vote Count2
UCLA Student Film, Preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. A man and his wife suffer under the monotony of everyday life with work at an insurance company and unhappy marriage.
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd
Jared Martin plays an aspiring film maker obsessed with the idea of Christ as a woman, and tries to film his vision with Sondra Locke as his subject. 'Based' on a song by Leonard Cohen.
Release Date1974-10-04
Charactersd Margo, Logan's Film Group
Vote Count7
Set in Los Angeles, Brothers tells the story of Vince, a brooding, mustachioed stud who’s visited by his kid brother Rick, a soldier serving in Vietnam. During Rick’s stay, the two siblings slowly confront their mutually hidden desires.
Release Date1973-01-01
Charactersd Penny
Vote Count8
Josh Gad reunites the cast and crews of various classic movies, and discusses the the films in hilarious yet heartfelt conversations.
Release Date2020-04-27
Charactersd Self
Episode Count1
Vote Count2
Featuring original interviews with America’s punk pioneers and the U.K.’s most notorious bands, alongside a seamless blend of rare and unseen photos, gritty archival film and video, a crackling soundtrack of punk hits and misses, this documentary series explores the music, the fashion, the art and the DIY attitude of a subculture of self-described misfits and outcasts.
Release Date2019-03-11
Charactersd Self
Episode Count2
Vote Count14
A chronicle of the long career of American filmmaker Roger Corman, the most tenacious and ingenious low-budget producer and director in the US film industry, a pioneer of independent filmmaking and discoverer of new talent.
Release Date2011-12-16
Charactersd Self - Filmmaker
Vote Count81
An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..
Release Date1988-06-17
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd Self
Vote Count79
Investigates the politics of cinematic shot design, and how this meta-level of filmmaking intersects with the twin epidemics of sexual abuse/assault and employment discrimination against women, with over 80 movie clips from 1896 - 2020.
Release Date2022-10-21
Charactersd Self
Vote Count31
From "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to "The Big Lebowski" and everything in between, this fascinating deep-dive documentary begins its celebration of the greatest cult movies of all-time discussing the birth of the midnight movie.
Release Date2020-04-21
Charactersd Self
Vote Count5
Interviews with personalities including John Mellencamp, Spike Lee, Lou Reed, Roseanne Barr, David Byrne, George Michael and more, as they reflect on the 1980s.
Release Date1989-12-09
Charactersd Self
Vote Count1
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
Release Date1981-07-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd Self
Vote Count111
At a pivotal moment for gender equality in Hollywood, successful women directors talk about their art, lives and careers.
Release Date2018-01-23
Charactersd Self
Vote Count14
A documentary on the Z Channel, one of the first pay cable stations in the US, and its programming chief, Jerry Harvey. Debuting in 1974, the LA-based channel's eclectic slate of movies became a prime example of the untapped power of cable television.
Release Date2004-05-16
Charactersd Self
Vote Count39
Legendary director Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment and Creator of the Toxic Avenger, reveals 40 years worth of maverick cinematic know-how in Direct Your Own Damn Movie! Lloyd offers you the magic key to operating outside the film studio system as well as providing you with the roadmap to script writing, pre-production, casting, managing your set, post-production and the secrets of selling you movie!
Release Date2009-05-19
Charactersd Self
Vote Count1
Equal parts personal essay, intense rumination, and playful satire, this movie laments the death of the American Video Store while it searches for the missing human element in today's digital landscape.
Release Date2019-10-11
Charactersd Self
Vote Count1
Documentary about women in the film industry. Numerous notable actresses and female directors share their thoughts.
Release Date1988-09-08
Charactersd Self
The greatest cult horror and science fiction films of all-time are studied in vivid detail in the second volume of Time Warp. Includes groundbreaking classics like "Night of the Living Dead," and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and sci-fi gems such as "Blade Runner," and "A Clockwork Orange."
Release Date2020-05-19
Charactersd Self
Vote Count5
The story of American film criticism.
Release Date2009-03-01
Charactersd Self
Vote Count15
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
Release Date1975-10-11
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Episode Count1
Vote Count479
Mild-mannered dirt-poor hill-dweller Jed Clampett strikes it rich when oil is discovered on his property. At cousin Pearl's insistence, he moves his family to Beverly Hills to better enjoy his newfound wealth.
Release Date1993-10-15
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Vote Count575
An anthology of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people's lives.
Release Date2011-10-10
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count33
When nine-year-old Alfalfa falls for Darla, his "He-Man-Woman-Hating" friends attempt to sabotage their relationship.
Release Date1994-08-05
DepartmentWriting
JobScreenplay
Vote Count1288
The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth. From Wayne's basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive who wants to produce a big-budget version of "Wayne's World"—and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra. Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra.
Release Date1992-02-14
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count2405
A look at the Travis Walton abduction
Release Date1991-03-25
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count2
A student gets his senses enhanced by an experimental drug. But abuse is not an option.
Release Date1998-02-20
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count390
Roy and Bo leave their small town the weekend after graduation for a short road trip to LA. Soon, they find themselves lashing out and leaving a trail of bodies behind them. The violence escalates throughout.
Release Date1986-03-14
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count97
Penelope Spheeris presents an amazing chronicle of the travelling musical carnival known as OZZfest, the most successful summer concert tour for the last five years. Complete access to incredible material sends this documentary film into the realm of pure entertainment. Unforgettable moments from zealous religious protesters, outrageous fans and the guys (and girls) backstage provide an insightful view into the soul of white, middle-class America. A stunning and sometimes disturbing glimpse of a cultural movement, this film is sure to be a reference for historians for decades to come. This comment on Middle America skates the line between your worst nightmare and the best time you’ve ever had. Features interviews with, and performances by BLACK SABBATH, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SLIPKNOT, PRIMUS, ROB ZOMBIE, GODSMACK and more.
Release Date2001-01-19
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count2
Ben's fiancée has her heart set on an expensive dream wedding, but her father, Jack, has secretly gambled away all his money. When Ben discovers he has a talent for exotic dancing, Jack pushes him to moonlight as a stripper to finance the wedding.
Release Date2011-04-30
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count19
Cracking Up is an American television sitcom created and written by Mike White. It aired on the Fox Network on Monday nights from March 9–May 5, 2004; it only aired six of the twelve produced episodes. Psychiatrist Dr. Bollas is assigned to examine Tanner Shackleton, a child of a Beverly Hills family, only to discover that Tanner doesn't have any problems — his family does. The story is in fact about Ben Baxter, a student who moves into the Shackletons' guest house, interacting with Tanner and his crazy family.
Release Date2004-03-09
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Episode Count1
Vote Count1
A white man goes on trial for having raped a black woman.
Release Date1969-01-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
When dignified Albert Donnelly runs for Governor, his team moves to keep his slow-witted and klutzy younger brother, Mike, out of the eye of the media. To baby-sit Mike, the campaign assigns sarcastic Steve, who gets the experience of a lifetime when he tries to take Mike out of town during the election.
Release Date1996-02-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count444
Two punks from the big city, traveling across the country in a Volkswagen bug, embrace the western ethos when they must take revenge against a group of rednecks for killing their friend in this lighthearted road movie. Along the way, they enlist the help of a young woman who runs a wrecking service.
Release Date1987-08-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count34
Albert Brooks goes to a research institute to find out why people don't like him and how he can change that. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 9
Release Date1976-01-10
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Super mid-season replacements to failed shows in a network's super season. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 4
Release Date1975-11-08
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Albert Brooks is sick and stuck in bed. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 7
Release Date1975-12-13
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
A mother goes to Hollywood to find her runaway daughter. She discovers that the girl has become involved in the pornography industry, and goes to the police to get help in finding her.
Release Date1986-02-28
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count10
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society. The runaways hold on to each other like a family until a tragedy tears them apart.
Release Date1984-04-13
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count92
Danger Theatre is an American half-hour comedy anthology series for television, produced by Universal Studios and originally aired on the American Fox network in 1993. With two exceptions, each half-hour-long show consisted of two comedy segments, each a spoof of a familiar action/anthology format. The style of the comedy was somewhat similar to that of films like Airplane! and TV shows like Police Squad! Robert Vaughn, most familiar to audiences from his role on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., was the host for each episode, introducing to camera each fifteen-minute segment with mock earnestness. The jokes ranged from humorous or preposterous dialogue to visual gags and slapstick designed to poke fun at the serious dramatic formats being lampooned. Danger Theatre only ran for seven episodes before cancellation, but was syndicated beyond the United States, airing in the United Kingdom on the BBC in 1994.
Release Date1993-07-11
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Episode Count5
Vote Count1
A pushy, narcissistic filmmaker persuades a Phoenix family to let him and his crew film their everyday lives, in the manner of the ground-breaking PBS series "An American Family".
Release Date1979-03-02
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Vote Count88
Albert Brooks introduces himself to the audience through showing them his home movies from childhood & attempts and fails at doing candid-camera style pranks. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 2
Release Date1975-10-18
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Three novels - three dramatic stories in the walls of the women's prison. The first story - a brand new, first went to prison inmates. The second - about a mother whose son has ceased to go to prison for visits. The third - about the experiences of women on the eve of its release.
Release Date1991-01-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count5
Albert places an ad in a newspaper expressing a desire to perform a heart bypass & gets to live his dream of being a heart surgeon for one day. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 3
Release Date1975-10-25
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Albert Brooks presents a mockumentary in which he presents several shocking news stories. Saturday Night Live, Season 1 Episode 1
Release Date1975-10-11
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Elvira introduces six programmes celebrating the rock phenomenon of deathless appeal - heavy metal.
Release Date1989-12-29
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Episode Count1
Vote Count1
Brian Cruver, an ambitious 26-year-old lands a job at Enron. As he assimilates to the company's get-rich-quick mantra, spending sprees and wild corporate "gatherings" become the norm. But when Enron files for bankruptcy, Cruver discovers he's just a pawn in a failing game of corporate greed--one that made the rich richer...while the rest lost everything.
Release Date2003-01-05
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count6
A pretty psychiatrist is saved from an accident by a man who, after hitting his head on a rock, believes he is Santa Claus. As she nurses him back to health at her institute, he brings the spirit of Christmas to the hospital.
Release Date2012-12-15
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count29
A group of campers revolt against their strict camp director and take over the camp for themselves.
Release Date1987-04-17
DepartmentWriting
JobScreenplay
Vote Count15
Picking up the story first presented in I Don’t Know (1970), Hats Off to Hollywood (1972) brazenly and brilliantly mixes documentary reality with fully staged recreations/reimaginings of episodes in the lives of Jennifer and Dana, a loving, bickering couple who challenge the notion of homonormativity. Drugs, poverty, disease, bigotry and prostitution all figure into this disarmingly candid and often hilarious film, a remarkable work that is the apotheosis of director Spheeris’ early work, and a luminous signpost leading directly to The Decline of Western Civilization (1979-1997). Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Release Date1972-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
A musical study of Los Angeles in the late 90s, where homeless teens roam the streets and profess to live a punk lifestyle of music, drugs, and flouting authority.
Release Date1998-11-13
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count44
A truly major work, I Don’t Know observes the relationship between a lesbian and a transgender person who prefers to be identified somewhere in between male and female, in an expression of personal ambiguity suggested by the film’s title. This nonfiction film – an unusual, partly staged work of semi-verité – is the first of Spheeris’s films to fully embrace what would become her characteristic documentary style: probing, intimate, uncompromising. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2014.
Release Date1971-11-09
DepartmentWriting
JobWriter
Vote Count4
Two years before Peter Watkins’ Punishment Park (1971), director Penelope Spheeris takes the McCarran Act to its inevitable next step and shows us—via an early use of mockumentary—what the U.S. might be like if potential subversives were simply locked up en masse before they had a chance to subvert anything. 16mm, color, 12 min. Director: Penelope Spheeris.1969. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016.
Release Date1969-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
A video portrait of 2 Live Crew as they fought to release their album "Banned in the USA" during the censorship crisis of the late 80s and early 90s that ultimately resulted in the "PARENTAL ADVISORY EXPLICIT CONTENT" sticker. This 49-minute documentary was directed by Penelope Spheeris.
Release Date1990-08-07
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
An early short film by Penelope Spheeris about a boy enjoying the age-old pleasures of making a wish on a dandelion. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016.
Release Date1968-01-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Made in an environment and at a time when frequent and gratuitous images of nude women permeated the work of her male counterparts, director Penelope Spheeris produced this intimate and sensual observation of a woman bathing. The appearance of Spheeris’ credit at the beginning of the film seems to ask the question: how does voyeurism change when we know the voyeur is actually a voyeuse? 16mm, b/w, 6 min. Director: Penelope Spheeris. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2014.
Release Date1969-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Documents the making of BLOOD DOLLS, interviewing members of the cast and crew.
Release Date1999-01-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Documentery from 1991 where The 2 Live Crew, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Too Short, Ice-T, Geto Boys, H.W.A. drop real talk on different topics.
Release Date1991-09-03
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
N.Y.H.C. is the first feature-length documentary to explore the New York Hardcore music scene. Drawings its roots from punk rock, hardcore evolved into a dedicated, self-contained movement, unconcerned with success in the mainstream. The documentary follows seven bands in the summer of 1995, ranging from Bronx inner-city youth to Long Island suburbanites to Hare Krishna devotees. N.Y.H.C. is a surprisingly in-depth and non-exploitive look into a vital and often neglected music community.
Release Date1999-08-16
DepartmentCrew
JobThanks
Vote Count4
One-time carny, bartender, and married 10 times, director Penelope Spheeris’ mother was an uncommon woman. In this sweet, funny, and moving video portrait, Spheeris gives us a vivid glimpse into the richness of her mother’s life and character. 35mm, color, 11 min. Director: Penelope Spheeris. 1998. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Release Date1998-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Synthesis is director Penelope Spheeris' first film, made in 8mm Kodachrome while she was a student at UCLA. In a seemingly near-future control room devoid of people, various readouts and calculations suggest that humankind is not altogether compatible with the grand scheme of the universe. 1968. Color.
Release Date1968-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
An unfinished archival short, in which the titular substance plays a key role in determining an outmoded man’s role in a changing society. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Release Date1969-08-26
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
A short documentary accompanying the first EP released by Lifers Group, a rap crew that grew out of the Lifers Group Juvenile Awareness Program — a youth crime prevention program founded in East Jersey State Prison in 1976 and made famous by the documentary Scared Straight! Released in 1991 and directed by Penelope Spheeris, the 29-minute documentary was nominated a 1992 Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video, but the group's members were disallowed by prison officials from attending the ceremony.
Release Date1991-02-05
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
